For the second time in two years, the notorious Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia State, has been closed by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
In its most recent operation, Operation Clean Up Aba, the agency claimed to have found and seized counterfeit and inferior food and beverages valued at over ₦5 billion.
The greatest counterfeit wine and beverage cartel in Africa is said to have its headquarters in Cemetery Market, which is well-known for manufacturing phony food items, carbonated drinks, and alcoholic beverages.
In a statement she signed on Tuesday, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC, called the raid “the most decisive action in the history of the market.”
“This is a significant step to protect public health and stop the spread of counterfeit goods in Nigeria,” Adeyeye stated.
It was said that more than 240 temporary factories were found during the operation, creating fake goods in filthy conditions.
Adeyeye disclosed that these companies produced counterfeit versions of well-known brands, such as Hennessy, Seaman Schnapps, Coca-Cola, Sprite, Peak Milk, and Hollandia Yoghurt, using hazardous chemicals, tainted water, and recycled bottles.
These criminal elements use hazardous chemicals that are unfit for human consumption, saccharin, coloring additives, and unsanitary water sources. Adeyeye clarified that cheaper sugars and starches are used to adulterate alcoholic beverages rather than fruits or grapes.
More than 1,500 cartons of counterfeit goods were destroyed on the spot, she continued, and the estimated street value of all the items confiscated and destroyed was ₦5 billion.
According to her, the action also resulted in the January 22 revalidation of three warehouses that were storing expired Hollandia Yoghurt.
The Abia State Government, under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti, was lauded by NAFDAC for its support of the raid.
“The success of Operation Clean Up Aba has been greatly aided by the steadfast support of Governor Alex Otti, the Mayor of Aba South, and the interim market management committee,” the Director-General stated.
Nigerians were advised by the agency to exercise caution and notify the local NAFDAC office of any questionable products.
Adeyeye gave everyone his word that “we are determined to safeguard the nation’s health and rid markets of fake and substandard products.”
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